TOWARDS A MULTIDIMENSIONAL MOTIVATIONAL C ONCEPTION OF LEISURE - CONSTRUCTION AND VALIDATION OF THE ECHELLE DE MOTIVATION VIS-A-VIS DES LOISIRS (EML)

This article discusses the findings of three studies whose purpose was to construct and validate a new measure of motivation toward leisure: the Echelle de motivation vis-a-vis des loisirs (EML). According to t he self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), leisure activities a re regulated by three types of intrinsic motivation (to know, to accom plish, and to experience stimulation), by three types of extrinsic mot ivation (identified, introjected, and externally regulated), or by amo tivation. The findings show that the EML (composed of the seven subsca les assessing the three types of intrinsic motivation, the three types of extrinsic motivation, and amotivation) displays satisfactory inter nal consistency and temporal stability. The construct validity of the EML is supported by a series of correlational analyses among the 7 sub scales, as well as between these subscales, and several variables rele vant to leisure. The factor structure is supported by an exploratory f actor analysis in the first study and by a confirmatory factor analysi s (using LISREL VII) in the second study. Because these forms of motiv ation are thought to be on a continuum from high to low self-determina tion, and because self-determination is associated with enhanced psych ological functioning (Deci, 1980), one would expect a corresponding pa ttern of relationships between the regulation of leisure activities an d positive consequences associated with leisure. Directions concerning the future use of the EML in theoretical and applied research are pro posed.